Welcome to our selection of the best welding schools in California.
The institutions included in our list can prepare you for entry-level employment in this field through a combination of classroom and hands-on training.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, California welders reportedly earned $59,170 on average, as of May 2023, but experienced welders can earn more than $80,000 annually.
Before being ready to start your welding career, the first step is to get your high school diploma or equivalent and then complete technical and on-the-job training that teaches you the skills needed for entry into this profession.
During your training, you will typically learn about:
- Materials used in welding and their application
- Welding symbols
- Types of welding joints performed in pipe welding
- Welding Processes
- Welding Safety
- And more
Most programs teach, hands-on, the following processes:
- SMAW
- GTAW
- GMAW
- FCAW
Program duration varies between a few months and a few years, depending on the school and the credential you want to obtain.
We invite you to read our list and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Los Angeles Trade- Technical College
About the School
Los Angeles Trade- Technical College offers an Associate of Science degree and Certificate of Achievement in Welding Gas and Electric.
This is a full-time program designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in the field.
The full-time student status is approximately 21 hours per week.
Courses Offered
The following award titles are available:
- Welding, Gas and Electric- 44 required course units
- Welding, Gas and Electric- 44 required course units
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal- 18 required course units
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding Structural Steel- 18 required course units
Contact Information
- Address: 400 West Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Phone: 213.763.5560
- Website: https://www.lattc.edu
#2Long Beach City College
About the School
Long Beach City College offers a welding program that provides the necessary technical skills, knowledge, and attitude to prepare students for their desired career.
The program provides advanced training in a variety of occupations in the welding and metal fabrication industry.
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Welding Technology, Associate in Science
- Welding Technology, Certificate of Achievement
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Certificate of Achievement
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Certificate of Achievement
- Basic Arc Welding, Certificate of Completion
- Basic Semi- Automatic Welding, Certificate of Completion
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90806
- Phone: (562) 938-4111
- Website: https://www.lbcc.edu
#3Welding Skills Test & Training Center
About the School
Welding Skills Test & Training Center gives students the opportunity to learn from professional welders with over 50 years of combined on-the-job experience and multiple welding certifications.
The center offers 10 to 15-day welder training and certification programs for beginners.
Classes are available in a boot camp style, hands-on at the school’s facility.
The instructors are professional AWS & LA City Certified welders.
Courses Offered
The following welding workshops are available:
- Beginning Welder- you can learn how to weld in three days
- Maintenance Dept. Welding- a 32-hour workshop that costs $3,900
- Welder Certification- a 40-hour stick workshop that costs $4,500
- Advanced Welding- 32-hour beginner steel Tig for $4,500 or 40-hour pipe layout workshop for $4,950
Contact Information
- Address: 5605 Archibald Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91737
- Phone: (909) 476-4149
- Website: https://weldingclass.org
#4Southern California Welding Training & Testing Center
About the School
Southern California Welding Training & Testing Center provides students with the technical, hands-on skills required to become marketable candidates for employment in the metal fabrication and welding industry.
The school’s Oxnard campus includes more than 3,400 square feet of space specifically designed for welding training.
The campus includes a large workshop and booths for group and individual instruction.
The school is an independent testing facility approved to administer Welder Performance Qualification.
Personalized instruction is available for multiple codes, including:
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- American Petroleum Institute
- American Welding Society
- Military Standards
The following American Welding Society performance qualification is available:
- Structural Steel
- Structural Welding Code Aluminum
- Bridge Welding Code
- Structural Welding Code Stainless Steel
- Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 Mariner Dr., Unit F, Oxnard, CA 93033
- Phone: 805 486-8700
- Website: https://socalweldtrainingschool.org
#5Welding Certification Center
About the School
Welding Certification Center offers students the opportunity to train for as little as $299 per month.
The school offers a number of courses and workshops designed for the beginning welder with zero experience, all the way to Advanced welders who may have never had the time or opportunity to receive professional instruction.
Refresher workshops are also available for those who are planning on taking the LADBS Certified Welder Performance Test.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Basic Welding- FCAW Structural Steel
- Basic Welding- GMAW (MIG) Mild Steel Sheet Metal
- Basic Welding- GMAW (MIG) Structural Steel
- Basic Welding- GTAW (TIG) Aluminum
- Basic Welding- GTAW (TIG) Mild Sheet Steel
- Basic Welding- GTAW (TIG) Stainless Steel
- Basis Welding- SMAW Structural Steel
- Comprehensive Welding- GMAW (MIG) Structural Steel & Sheet Metal
- Comprehensive Welding- SMAW Structural Steel
- Multi-Process Welding- Structural Steel
Contact Information
- Address: 2701 N. Towne Ave, Unit C, Pomona, CA 91767
- Phone: (909) 334-CERT
- Website: https://www.weldingcertificationcenter.com
#6El Camino College
About the School
El Camino College offers a Welding degree program that puts students on the right track for a career in the welding industry.
The college provides an accessible, affordable path to a rewarding, in-demand career.
The degree prepares students for careers in a wide array of fields related to welding.
The program covers oxy-acetylene cutting, plasma arc cutting, brazing and welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and flux cored welding.
Courses Offered
The following certificates are available:
- Welding Certificate of Achievement
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Certificate of Accomplishment
- Semi-Automatic Welding Certificate of Accomplishment
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding Structural Steel Certificate of Achievement
- Structural Steel Fabrication Certificate of Accomplishment
Contact Information
- Address: 16007 Crenshaw Blvd. Torrance, CA 90506
- Phone: 866-352-2646
- Website: https://www.elcamino.edu
#7American River College
About the School
American River College offers a Welding Technology department that offers its students the opportunity to pursue an Associate of Science degree or several certificates.
The department prepares students for success in an exciting, in-demand career field.
Courses Offered
The following degrees are available:
- A.A.S./A.S. Degree- Welding Technology A.S. Degree
- Welding Technology Certificate
The Welding Technology Certificate includes the following courses:
- Mathematics for Welding Technicians
- Introduction to Welding
- Welding Inspection
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Symbol Reading. Layout and Fabrication
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding Structural
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, CA 95841
- Phone: (916) 484-8011
- Website:https://arc.losrios.edu
#8Institute of Technology
About the School
The Institute of Technology offers a Welding Technician program that helps students gain the skills to work with their hands in a variety of technical industries.
The program is available at the Clovis campus.
The program cost is approximately $19,000 and includes fees, books, and supplies.
Courses Offered
Students receive hands-on instruction in the theories, techniques, and practices involved in the welding field.
They learn the basics of the welding trade, including safety and methods for various forms of welding.
Soldering and brazing will also be explored during this program.
Graduates receive a diploma.
Contact Information
- Address: 564 West Herndon Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612
- Phone: 559.297.4500
- Website: https://www.iot.edu
#9Riverside City College
Riverside City College offers a Welding Technology program designed to prepare students for a “job that pays well and will always be challenging.”
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the college:
- Welding Technology- a two-year program
- Pipe Welding- a one-year program
- Stick Welding- a one-year program
- TIG Welding- a one-year program
- Wire Welding- a one-year program
The programs include between six and 28 major units.
The Welding Technology program requirements include courses such as:
- Blueprint Reading for Welders
- Beginning Shield Metal Arc Welding
- Advanced Shield Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Pipe Layout
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506
- Phone: (951) 222-8000
- Website: https://www.rcc.edu
#10Cal Trade Welding School
About the School
Cal Trade Welding School offers many welding courses taught by instructors with several years of on-the-job training, as well as a Certificate of Authorization for Service from CCPVE for instructors.
The school provides its students with up-to-date welding techniques that prepare them for a variety of welding jobs.
Graduates become certified welders who are ready to work on bridges, buildings, and shop work of all kinds.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the school:
- Combination course
- Structural welding course
- MIG/TIG welding course
- Pipeline welding course
- Welding Inspection
The combination course includes the following welding processes: Stick, TIG, MIG, and Fluxed Core Arc Welding.
Contact Information
- Address: 424 Kansas Ave
- Phone: (209) 523-0753
- Website: https://www.caltradeweldingschoolofmodesto.com
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in California
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$44K
|
|
|
$61K
|
|
|
$84K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in California
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 880 | $61,470 | $29.55 | $84,250 | $42,050 |
| Chico, CA | 160 | $56,540 | $27.18 | $75,680 | $39,080 |
| El Centro, CA | 90 | $55,530 | $26.70 | $77,350 | $38,820 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,040 | $53,200 | $25.58 | $69,830 | $40,700 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 60 | $51,590 | $24.80 | $66,390 | $41,550 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 7,560 | $62,550 | $30.07 | $89,180 | $45,330 |
| Merced, CA | 260 | $51,850 | $24.93 | $62,110 | $38,210 |
| Modesto, CA | 450 | $59,250 | $28.49 | $80,680 | $41,800 |
| Napa, CA | 100 | $62,470 | $30.04 | $86,520 | $40,810 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 620 | $56,580 | $27.20 | $78,820 | $39,720 |
| Redding, CA | 120 | $56,030 | $26.94 | $73,210 | $39,210 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 3,670 | $55,850 | $26.85 | $74,560 | $42,390 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,570 | $60,990 | $29.32 | $81,340 | $46,590 |
| Salinas, CA | 220 | $62,370 | $29.99 | $86,530 | $44,340 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,730 | $64,810 | $31.16 | $82,030 | $46,410 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,940 | $71,390 | $34.32 | $102,200 | $49,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,160 | $74,750 | $35.94 | $115,370 | $50,050 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 220 | $66,480 | $31.96 | $107,890 | $45,420 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 80 | $71,170 | $34.22 | $116,570 | $45,400 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 220 | $58,700 | $28.22 | $77,450 | $44,920 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 310 | $64,890 | $31.20 | $90,310 | $44,670 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 610 | $56,840 | $27.33 | $74,790 | $43,010 |
| Vallejo, CA | 320 | $70,290 | $33.80 | $102,980 | $48,630 |
| Visalia, CA | 410 | $51,560 | $24.79 | $66,030 | $37,980 |
| Yuba City, CA | 130 | $54,280 | $26.10 | $76,860 | $39,280 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Skilled welders will continue to be needed in the future to help rebuild the nation’s aging infrastructure.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, although automation may limit their job prospects in the manufacturing field, their skills will also be needed in this industry.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in California, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
